My First "Long" Ride

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Originally posted by oreo_n2
i call bluffing, unless your ride consisted of a 10 foot exploration of the snow bank in front of the garage.

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Ask Paul or Alan at Moto Market in Acton - they will vouch for me. My riding was definitely less - I only did 2000 miles from the end of October to the end of February. Average ride on a 15 degree day was 25-50 miles just to run the bike a little and get a coffee.

Longest was around 150 miles to Keene and back. I was able to get out once or twice a week, with a few 9 day gaps between riding due to storms.

I wasn't trying to sound like a hard ass - after my self deprecating humor about losing my balls after the BMW guys showed me what real mileage was, I was just trying to redeem myself somewhat.

It was more stupid than macho riding when I did - I ran into black ice (and regular ice in potholes, puddles, etc.) on more than one occasion and had some white knuckle rides just trying to get home.

I bought a used KLR 650 to ride this winter in hopes of an easier season :D

I forgot to mention that I don't have a garage, but a shed 125 feet from my driveway that I snowblow a path to and wheel my bike across the ice/snow covered grass. Also more stupid than anything, as my front end slid out a lot and I came close to dropping the bike many times. I have plenty of riding buddies that can verify this, too, if you want to call my bluff again :poke:

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Originally posted by OreoGaborio
do you realize what you just said here? :poke: :spit: :lol:

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It was my lame attempt at self-deprecating humor. Maybe I should have used an old Marine Corps expression and said that the BMW guys knocked my dick in the dirt. Or maybe I should just stay away from genitalia references altogether...

Jarhead, I don't doubt your riding at all. I'm envious actually. I think I may eventually look at getting a dual sport to not only extend my riding season a bit, but to allow me to do some offroad stuff too.

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Originally posted by 02SuperHawkRdr
Jarhead, I don't doubt your riding at all. I'm envious actually. I think I may eventually look at getting a dual sport to not only extend my riding season a bit, but to allow me to do some offroad stuff too.

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Thanks for believing me - I'm telling the truth! I'm new to this forum and was just trying to get connected, not stir up any controversy!

I hated getting my FZ1 covered in salt and sand, so the dual purpose will let me sleep easier in that respect. It's also a lot lighter if I do drop it in my snowy yard, and should fair better on questionable riding surfaces. Currently I use it as a daily commuter to work to take some of the stress/miles off of the FZ1.

I haven't taken it offroad yet, but some KLR folks on sportriders.com are organizing a dirt road ride for August. I took my last 2 dual purpose bikes (DR-Z400 and F650GS) offroad in the Groton Town Forest (when it was still allowed) and the DR-Z was great but the F650 was too heavy.

I have a feeling that the KLR will do well on dirt roads, fire roads, mellow power lines, etc., but it is definitely not for single track!